How to make a
Western Set

Right to start off with you either need the RioRondo Traditional Kit which is what I'm using. Or some tooling leather, saddle tree, chamois, skiver, suede, leather lace and buckles, D rings, hooks, jump rings and bit.

Next up you'll nee long nosed/needle nosed pliers, super glue, leather scissors, smaller scissors (skiver + lace) craft knife, pen and a pencil

Optional is a hammer and stamp tool to decorate your saddle

First thing to do is trace the bits onto the tooling leather and cut the bits out. Then if your engraving etc damp the leather with a sponge and stamp, engrave away. Leave to dry.

Workspace will get messy and crowded. Copious amount of tea/coffee essential

Now dye all you pieces on both sides if your going to dye it. Only use leather dye. When fully dry put Leather Sheen on to protect it.

Put Lower saddle skirt on horses back. attach and glue the cinch leathers. Make up the cinch with buckle tongues and large jump rings. Fasten up to make sure all fits.

Put stirrups on the fenders, glue fenders in place at the middle. Then cover saddle tree, glue into place and add upper skirt.

Add D rings to front of saddle, strip to back of seat and side panels.

Should have this lot left over to make the brest plate and bridle. I have 2 bits to choose from.

Brest plate is 2 wide bits of leather attached to a big jump ring with leather thronging making straps to attach it to the D ring with buckles. The bottom strap attaches to cinch with a hook.

Bridle is relative easy as only has 1 buckle on the near side on the cheek. Unlike English bridles, there's no noseband and normally no browband - instead goes around 1 or both ears. They should always be a leather or chain chin guard though.

See what I mean. RioRondo kits don't have a throatlatch but most Western bridles do as far as I'm aware.

Here's the bridle and breastplate all done.

Now add a few conchos, line saddle with Chamois and it's all done!

The finished package

Time to take it for a whirl. It's useful to make sure a doll fits it as in Europe -  especially the UK, we have to use riders in performance entries or they won't get judged.